Elliston Place Soda Shop

"This Nashville classic has been serving diner-style breakfasts and meat-and-three lunches and dinners since 1939. The shop leans hard into the nostalgia, but resists feeling like theme park—construction workers, police officers, and office workers are all posted up on the vinyl seats waiting for their first coffee of the day. The breakfast options are simple, but done well: the buttermilk biscuits are moist, the pepper gravy flavorful, and the creamy cheese grits will satisfy even the most discerning porridge enthusiasts. If you’ve got a little space left after all those carbs, the shop does still indeed serve up old-timey sodas (with phosphates!) and milkshakes (with malt!). There’s also a case of meringue-topped pies made daily by the resident pie lady, and you should absolutely get a slice on your way out." - bailey freeman

"The Soda Shop has been a family favorite for over 80 years, serving classic Nashville meat-and-three fare, burgers and fries, and ice cream treats from its soda counter. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, whipped potatoes with gravy, and squash casserole are the perfect precursor to a banana split, or, perhaps, a slice of Mis Linda’s toasted coconut merengue pie. Pick some songs on the jukebox and plop into the welcoming red leather booths for a true Nashville experience." - Ellen Fort, Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

"Holding it down in Midtown for more than 80 years, this sweets shop and diner is perhaps best known for its old-school treatment of shakes, malts, floats, and flavored sodas, but you can also get great sundaes, banana splits, and simple ice cream scoops in classic flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, plus toppings. And thanks to a recent move next door and a major facelift, Elliston Place Soda Shop now has a full bar." - Eater Staff

"This Nashville classic has been serving diner-style breakfasts and meat-and-three lunches and dinners since 1939. The shop leans hard into the nostalgia, but resists feeling like theme park—construction workers, police officers, and office workers are all posted up on the vinyl seats waiting for their first coffee of the day. The breakfast options are simple, but done well: the buttermilk biscuits are moist, the pepper gravy flavorful, and the creamy cheese grits will satisfy even the most discerning porridge enthusiasts. If you’ve got a little space left after all those carbs, the shop does still indeed serve up old-timey sodas (with phosphates!) and milkshakes (with malt!). There’s also a case of meringue-topped pies made daily by the resident pie lady, and you should absolutely get a slice on your way out." - Bailey Freeman

"Midtown institution Elliston Place Soda Shop offers old-school soda fountain vibes and classic diner staples like fudge pie and banana splits. Linda Melton, also known as Miss Linda the “pie lady,” still turns out chocolate meringue, coconut, and lemon icebox pies by hand." - Clara Wang, Eater Staff